Value in damaged goods + 3 strikes

Those who know me, know I love a value. For instance how many other financially stable people use – or even know about – the discounted grocery rack in the back of the store? Need some day-old baked goods? Check. A dented shampoo bottle? No problem. 40 bottles of ham glaze? You’re in luck.

Don’t think for a second my value picks end at Hannaford/Ralphs/Kroger/Jons, in fantasy baseball the discount rack is clearly labeled with two little superscript letters: “DL.”

Pitchers:

Give some serious thought to these guys if they’re available (as a FA or a trade) in your league:

1. Chris Carpenter, even if he’s not the same as his days of being a 2+ ERA Cy Young winner, he’ll likely be better than average.This weekend he’ll make his second rehab start – the first in AAA.

3. Jeff Francis– He’s better than what he showed in the 1st half of the year, maybe not as good as he was in ’07 but time on the DL for some rest could really help out.

4. Chris Young – He’s already made two minor league starts and now the team is considering activating him rather than making him pitch a third.

5. Adam Wainwright – the Cards are starting to stretch his arm, he’s now up to 60-70 pitches in his bullpen sessions.

6. Roy Oswalt – Expected to start vs the Reds on Monday the 28th.

Hitters:

1. Lastings Milledge – comes off the DL on tomorrow

2. Victor Martinez – ETA mid August

3. Jerry Hairston Jr – it’s late July let’s just call it his career year

4. Frank Thomas – could start a rehab stint soon

5. Jorge Posada – now this is a HUGE gamble. But hear me out…he’s going to try and put off surgery. If he does, and he returns as a DH, there’s no reason he can’t be your catcher. If you can get him for 20 cents on the dollar, it might be worth it.

3 Strikes:

1. Chipper Jones injures his hammy. Good bye shot at .400.

2. Eric Bedard will not be making a start anytime soon. The goal was to showcase him before the July 31 trade deadline…ain’t happenin’.

3. Huston Street is garnering a lot of attention from other teams, here’s whose interested and the likely result…

Dodgers – possibly stays as a closer, sorry Broxton owners

Brewers – probably stays as a closer

Mets – closer until Billy Wagner’s spasms let up, then set up man

White Sox- stays as closer until Jenks gets healthy and effectiveReds – probably becomes the set up man only because they’re paying Cordero so much to close games.